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Topic: TV suggestions? (Read 2538 times)

I need some advice on a new TV. Specifically, I want something that can be controlled via USB, or serial using a USB to serial adapter on the MD. Plug and play would be best, but I can put in some non-programming work or perhaps even a bit of ruby (I don't know Ruby) to get it running if need be. Based on my experiences with my current TV I don't want to use IR blasting to control the new TV if at all possible.

Short of going into webadmin and pretending to add a device, is there a list of supported TVs or an easy way to generate a list? Are there some manufacturers to avoid or that are recommended above others? Is there some other site I should look on?

If it matters, I'm looking to buy a 60"-65" LCD in the sub $3k price range.

Ah ya? Are they plug and play? I see there are a couple specific Sharp Tvs listed in the device templates as well as a generic appearing Aquos LCD entry.

I usually try to buy TVs from a local store, but not much around here and Best Buy doesn't carry that brand. On the other hand, I was looking at newegg and they have a 60" Sharp Aquos for $1,799 and free shipping (MSRP $2,999). Based on the specs, it's serial not USB. Is that the standard (hopefully lmce supported) connector type?

edit: I'll wait to see if there are other suggestions, things to compare it to, while I read some reviews on the Sharp as well as see if I can find one locally.

edit2: Not sure what I was smoking, but Best Buy does carry the Aquos line, but at the $2,999 price according to their website.

My Sharp is Plug and Play using a Null modem (or Crossover) serial cable and a USB to Serial adapter.

I bought it from Bestbuy about 6 months ago 46" 120Hz LCD 1080p for $999. So far it has been great - Make sure you set EDID to 'True' in Xorg.conf though. Mine picture was slightly off the screen by about 1/2" which meant the list of letters on the audio and video menus were not shown. Setting EDID to true corrected this after discussions with TKMedia in the IRC

You can try to do what I started - go through web admin and pretend you are manually adding a device. By selecting a manufacturer, selecting TVs/Plasma/LCD/Projector from device category, then the auto filter checkbox you can look for specific models. It's cumbersome and doesn't give you good info like the Sharp Aquos line should be all plug and play as mentioned in this thread, but if you are looking to see if a specific TV is supported it kinda works. Having a list of TVs and what is supported out of the box would be handy. I'm really not sure if being on the list means it can be controlled via serial/usb, or if some are there that just have USBUIRT codes.

As for LCD vs. Plasma, there are plenty of discussions all over the internet on this one. Since I've been looking into it, here is my take. General consensus is plasma is the better option in the 47"+ range. Better picture, darker blacks, no issues with motion blur, with new tech very little chance of burn-in, better viewing angle, and in the larger sizes they are cheaper. This comparison doesn't include back-lit LED LCDs with local dimming and 4 color LCDs, which are or will soon be as good or better than both conventional LCDs and plasma in every way. Too bad they are sooooo expensive right now. The only real downsides to plasma are they do not do as well in a brightly lit room and they use a fair amount more electricity to run. So why do I want LCD? I suppose it's because I'm completely happy with my smaller LCD TVs and I'd rather give up a small bit of quality for no chance of burn in instead of slightly better picture with almost no burn-in issues. It's also worth noting that if you don't want/need it mounted on a wall a DLP might be a great option. My father has a 73" DLP (HUGE room, a 73" TV makes sense and is perfect for as far back as they sit). My initial thoughts when he said DLP were "meh" it's gonna suck. I was surprised, the picture is great.

BTW, I wouldn't limit it to rs232, I believe there are USB connections that are plug and play that can do everything serial can. Just note that just because it has USB doesn't mean you can control the TV that way.

edit: it would be great if there were lists of TVs, receivers, remotes, etc. and what works for each. I'd even be willing to put a list together if someone could tell me how to collect the info. ie - I can get the TVs by going through the add device wizard, but I have no clue what is supported in terms of USBUIRT/serial/USB from there.

My LG has RS232 and says it is for control but I have been unable to get it working, I have checked cables and connections (Sharp works fine with same H/W). I have checked the Plug and Play scripts for LG and they have the right commands but for some reason it doesn't work?

My 37 has simplink so at one point I will check into its capabilities with lmce.

Tim

I have a 32LH300 and a 42LH3000. All the RS232 control codes are printed in the manual (check the LG site for your manual online). I intend to work on device templates for these two devices, which presumably should be easy to modify for other LG models with the same control codes. Of course by the time I've done this you wont be able to buy these models, but them's the breaks.

My 37 has simplink so at one point I will check into its capabilities with lmce.

Tim

I have a 32LH300 and a 42LH3000. All the RS232 control codes are printed in the manual (check the LG site for your manual online). I intend to work on device templates for these two devices, which presumably should be easy to modify for other LG models with the same control codes. Of course by the time I've done this you wont be able to buy these models, but them's the breaks.

All current LG models use the same rs232 command set and work very well indeed.